11 November 1921 in Worsthorne, Burnley, Lancashire
[registered in Burnley, December 1921]

Childhood notes

Ron spent his early days in a terraced house in
Worsthorne. As the Depression hit the Greenwood family hard,
they moved to Alperton in Middlesex, when Ron's father became
a signwriter at Wembley Stadium. Leaving school at fourteen,
Ron followed his father as an apprentice signwriter at
Wembley.

Baptised

4 December 1921 at St John the Evangelist Church, Worsthorne,
Lancashire. Child of Samuel
Greenwood & Margaret, his father's occupation stated as Royal
Irish Constabulary, living in Worsthorne. Baptised by J.A.
Latham.

Married

to LucyJ. Pearson
[registered in Hendon, Middlesex, December 1941] Two
children.

Died

9 February 2006in Sudbury,
aged 84 years 90 days [registered in Bury St.Edmunds, Suffolk], following a long illness and
battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Height/Weight

not known

Playing Career

Centre-half who began his football
life as an Chelsea FC apprentice. He was posted with the RAF
in Ireland and guested for Belfast Celtic FAC in 1945. On his
return from war duty, Greenwood signed for Bradford Park
Avenue FC in December 1945, he would go on to make 59 league appearances over four seasons before transferring to Brentford FC
in March 1949, making another 142
league appearances, scoring his only goal. He returned to Chelsea FC
on 21 October 1952, played 65
league matches before transferring to Fulham FC
in February 1955, completing
another 42 league matches, before ending his career at close of 1955-56 season.

Football
League Champions 1954-55;

Individual honours

England B (one appearance).

Management Career

After retiring from playing,
Greenwood took up coaching at Eastbourne United FC and Oxford
University AFC. He became assistant manager of Arsenal FC
in December 1957, he also managed the England Youth and Under-23 teams.
He became the manager of West Ham United FC
on 13 April
1961 until he became the club's general manager in July 1974, a position
held for the next three years.

Appointed temporary manager
17 August 1977 and manager 12 December 1977; resigned following World
Cup 1982 final tournament.

Other applicants

Bobby Robson
and Brian Clough were both favourites to land the England job in 1977.
Dave Sexton was interviewed, as was Jack Charlton and Lawrie McMenemy. Brian Clough was the
'people's
choice'.As the vacancy had made the newspaper stands...many applied,
including Jimmy Armfield, John Bond, Jimmy Bloomfield, Charles
Hughes, Harry Catterick, Bertie Mee, Tony Waiters, Dennis
Wishaw, and two ex-captains, Billy Wright and Bobby Moore.

Bill Taylor was his Chief Coach, with Geoff Hurst handling coaching
responsibilities also. Fred Street was the physiotherapist and trainer.
Dr Vernon Edwards was the team doctor.
Greenwood chose an impressive list of managers and coaches to look after
all the England sides. Bobby Robson and Don Howe would look after the B
side. Dave Sexton and Terry Venables would look after the U21's. Brian
Clough and Peter Taylor would look after the Youth side.

Beyond England

Greenwood did
not return to management following his five years as England
manager. Instead, turning to punditary and analysis on BBC
Radio.

Individual honours

Football
Writers' Association Tribute Award for outstanding contribution to the
national game 1983; Professional Footballers Association Merit Award 1985; Football
Association Hall of Fame 2002. English Football Hall of Fame 2006;